With Sara serving dish after dish, one lid after another was lifted, and beams of golden light flashed out again and again.
Each time was followed by gasps of awe.
It seemed that opening the lids had already become a new pastime for the guests.
The sight of "the golden legend" gradually turned into a unique spectacle at Good Hunter.
At this moment, the fragrance of Golden Fried Rice had spread far and wide.
Even customers quite a distance away could smell it clearly.
"What is that smell? So fragrant!"
"It's coming from Good Hunter!"
"A restaurant? Could it be they've launched a new dish?"
"I heard Sara made some kind of glowing food."
"Huh? It glows? What did she put in it?"
"No idea, but I'm going to take a look."
"Count me in."
...
Though quite a few had already eaten, the aroma alone was enough to tempt them into heading toward Good Hunter.
"Sara did pretty well."
Han Feng had also arrived nearby, praising lightly as the fragrance reached him.
A passerby overheard him and froze.
Pretty well?
This fried rice that made their eyes water with delight— and he only said "not bad"?
Han Feng ignored their odd looks, only smiling faintly.
If it were before, he wouldn't have been able to tell.
Even Shao An's Mapo Tofu had seemed heavenly to him back then.
Let alone Little Master's Golden Fried Rice.
But after fusing with Little Master's Special Grade Chef skills, his understanding of cuisine had reached another level entirely.
So he could clearly judge: this dish was just the beginner's touch of a novice Little Master.
And this was Sara's very first attempt, naturally a little rough.
Of course, that was only from his current perspective.
For ordinary folk, this was already the pinnacle of deliciousness.
Putting away his thoughts, Han Feng stepped into Good Hunter.
The place was packed.
Nearly every table was crowded, and more people were still arriving— all drawn by the Golden Fried Rice.
"Boss Han, you're here?!"
Sara, carrying a tray, spotted him and exclaimed in delight.
She had been wondering if he'd show up and had even saved him a seat.
Now she could finally put it to use.
"Business is good," Han Feng said with a smile.
"All thanks to you, Boss Han. Without that reward, I'd never have so many customers."
Sara smiled gratefully.
"Boss Han, I saved you a spot, over here."
Handing the tray to a passing waiter, she personally led Han Feng forward.
The seat she'd reserved was at Lumine's table.
It was the only table in the whole restaurant left spacious— every other one was jam-packed.
Clearly, she'd set it aside deliberately.
"Eh? Boss Han, you came?"
Paimon, who had been busy eating, lit up when she saw him.
"Come, sit here."
She even wiped down the chair with her hand, grinning as she gestured for him.
Han Feng sat down, reached out, and gave Paimon's cheek a playful squeeze.
"Offering me a seat so eagerly—what's the catch? Out with it."
"Hehe, I just… wanted to try Boss Han's cooking," Paimon said sheepishly.
She'd heard Sara's endless praises of him.
If Sara could already make something this good by following his instructions,
then surely his own cooking must be on another level.
For the little foodie, that was a temptation hard to resist.
"Oh, I see."
Han Feng's eyes gleamed thoughtfully.
Truth be told, it wasn't quite what they imagined.
But now, with Little Master's Special Grade Chef skills, there weren't many in Teyvat who could outmatch him in the kitchen.
He glanced at the others.
Both Lumine and Venti wore subtle looks of expectation.
Clearly, they wanted it too—just not as blunt as Paimon.
A smile tugged at Han Feng's lips.
"Cooking is tiring work, you know.
Just thinking about it makes my shoulders ache."
He rotated his shoulders with a sigh, looking pained.
"Boss Han, let me give you a massage!"
Paimon instantly caught on, scampering up and pounding lightly at his shoulders.
"But cooking doesn't just need energy," Han Feng went on lazily,
"it also needs a good mood.
If tomorrow's business goes badly, my mood will sour.
And if I'm not in the mood… well, no cooking."
Venti immediately stepped in, grinning.
"Business, is it? Don't worry, Boss Han, I'll take care of it.
You just stay happy."
He already had a plan— tomorrow he'd tell the story of Yu-Gi-Oh! and even demonstrate with the Duel Disk.
The realistic monster projections would surely convince the townsfolk.
Even the Meicoomon at Lumine's side nodded solemnly.
For the sake of food, it would do its part.
Lumine, meanwhile, was dumbfounded.
Wait a second—
Paimon's massaging his shoulders, the bard's promising to promote his business…
Then what about me?
I want to taste Boss Han's cooking too!
But you've taken all the possible favors— what am I supposed to do?
Paimon, spotting her awkwardness, smirked wickedly.
"Why don't you just warm Boss Han's bed?
That way you'll get food every day."
Σ(△|||)︴
The words stunned Lumine into silence.
Where did that even come from?!
And seeing Han Feng's amused gaze, her cheeks burned scarlet in an instant.
"Paimon!!!"
Lumine exploded, seizing Paimon and squishing her mercilessly.
"You rotten little Paimon, what nonsense are you spouting?!
Why don't you go warm the bed?!"
"Lum… I was… only th-trying to… help…"
Paimon, her words mangled from the rough handling, still put on an expression as if she'd been acting entirely out of concern.
Yeah.
There was no way she'd admit she was trying to trade Lumine off in exchange for a lifetime of free meals and lodging.
~~--------------------------
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